Leadership: The Path-Goal Theory Of Leadership

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Leadership
‘Leadership is the process of influencing the activities of an individual or a group in efforts toward goal achievement in a given situation’ Hersey and Blanchard (1988).
For my research on leadership I will be focusing on;
- Expectancy Theory
- The Path-Goal Theory of Leadership
- Locus of Control Framework
Expectancy Theory:
I will begin with expectancy theory as this displays the sequence of key factors which motivate individuals in the workplace. To be an effective leader I must be an effective motivator. To an extent this theory also forms the basis for the Path-Goal Theory of Leadership.
Expectancy Theory was first proposed in ‘Work and Motivation’ Vroom (1964). The theory suggests that employees are motivated by the belief their efforts will lead to improved performance and improved performance will lead to the attainment of certain rewards.
This is reflected by the diagram below. Retrieved from Wikispaces; https://wikispaces.psu.edu/display/PSYCH484/4.+Expectancy+Theory
By understanding this sequence, I can effectively motivate employees on site.
Path-Goal Theory of Leadership:
The Path-Goal theory operates with the idea that leaders should adapt their leadership styles to their subordinates/employees. This theory was introduced in ‘The effects of supervisory behavior on the path-goal relationship. Organizational Behavior and Human Performance’ by Evans (1970). This was further developed in ‘Path-goal theory of leadership. Journal of Contemporary